Travi$ Scott – Owl Pharaoh mixtape
Travi$ Scott was recruited to work on
Yeezus, and when you hear this warped hip-hop acid trip, you can see why. He’s a master of tension, juxtaposing his flow — always suave as hell and a breath away from breaking out into a weed-addled giggle — with the Tyler-approved pitched-down voice and serrated, jittery beats. One listen to the
“Uptown”-“Hell Of A Night” combo and it’s clear Scott aims to lead the coming wave of art-rap, shuffling the expansiveness of
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the demonic hedonism of
Yeezus and the sad-rap of
Kid Cudi in real time.
— CARL WILLIOTT
Betty Who – The Movement EP
I’ve written about this EP so many times this year that I almost expected to run out of things to say, but if ever there were a release worth championing again and again and again, it’s this one. It vaulted Australian songstress Who onto countless Ones To Watch In 2014 lists and caused a viral sensation with lead single “Somebody Loves You,” and it’s still one of the most polished, irresistible debuts I’ve ever heard. From “Somebody” to the gorgeously glitchy “You’re In Love” and the perfectly longing “Right Here,” as well as perennial fan favorite “High Society,” it’s a pop EP that’s free of flaws.
— SAM LANSKY
